Failed Attempts to Legalize Euthanasia/Assisted-Suicide in the United States

by Kathi Hamlon

Failed Ballot Initiatives 
(Four failed ballot initiatives in four states)

Washington State - 1991
Ballot Initiative 119, which would have legalized "aid-in-dying" (euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide), was defeated by a vote of 54% to 46%. 

California - 1992
Proposition 161, a ballot initiative that would have legalized euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide failed by a vote of 54% to 46%. 

Michigan - 1998
Measure B which would have legalized physician-assisted suicide was overwhelmingly rejected by voters by a margin of 71% to 29%.

Maine - 2000
Question 1, the "Maine Death with Dignity Act," patterned after the "Oregon Death with Dignity Act" would have legalized physician-assisted suicide.  It was defeated by voters 51% to 49%.  

.........

Failed Legislative Measures 1994 through 2007
(Ninety failed legislative proposals in twenty-three states)

Alaska
HB 371 (1996)

Arizona
SB 1007 (1996)
HB 2167 (1999)
HB 2454 (2003)
HB 2564 (2004)
HB 2311, HB 2313 (2005)
HB 2372, HB 2357 (2007)

California
AB 1080, AB 1310 (1995)
AB 1592 (1999)
AB 654 (2005)
AB 651 (2006)
AB 374 (2007)

Colorado
HB 95-1308 (1995)
HB 96-1185 (1996)

Connecticut
SB 334 (1995)
HB 6083 (1997)

Hawaii
HB 418, HB 347, SB 981, SB 692, HB 1155, SB 1037 (1999)
SB 709 (2001)
HB 2487, SB 2745 (2002)
HB 862 (2003-2004)
HB 1454, SB 1308 (2005)
HB 3013, SB 2900 (2006)
HB 675, SB 800, SB 1995 (2007)

Illinois
HB 601 (1997)

Iowa
HB 2425 (2006)

Louisiana
SB 128 (1999)

Maine:
HB 552 (1995)
LD 916 (1996)
HB 663 (1997)

Maryland
HB 933, HB 474 (1995)

Massachusetts
H 3173 (1995)
H 1543 (1997)

Michigan
HB 4134 (1994)
SB 640 (1995)
SB 653 (1997)
HB 5474 (1998)

Mississippi
HB 1023 (1996)

Nebraska
LB 1259 (1996)
LB 406 (1997)
LB 70 (1999)

New Hampshire
HB 339 (1996)
HB 1433-FN (1998)
SB 44 (1999)

New Mexico
SB 446 (1995)

New York
S 1683, S 5024-A, A 6333 (1995)
SB 4834 (1999)
SB 677 (2001)

Pennsylvania
HB 1435 (2007)

Rhode Island
SB 2985 (1995)
SB 2869 (1998)
SB 2766 (2006)
HB 6080 (2007)

Vermont
H 335 (1995)
H 109 (1997)
H 493 (1999)
H 318 (2003-2004)
H 168 (2005-2006)
H 44, S 63 (2007)

Washington
SB 5596 (1995)
SB 6576 (1998)
SB 6843 (2006)

Wisconsin
AB 174, SB 90 (1995)
AB 32, SB 27 (1997)
AB 297, SB 124 (1999)
AB 417, SB 184 (2001)
AB 348, SB 169 (2003)
AB 507, SB 224 (2005)

Wyoming
SF No. 0007 (2004)
 

Kathi Hamlon is a policy analyst for the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide and the editor of the International Task Force Update.

More information on assisted-suicide bills introduced in 2007

For more extensive information about U.S. proposals to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, see:
"Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Health Care Decisions" (2006)
"Assisted Suicide & Death with Dignity: Past, Present & Future" (2004)
"Assisted Suicide: The Continuing Debate" (2002)
"Words, Words, Words" (1996)